Where to even start w/ makeup for Asians?

[BlahWah]

If you want rounder eyes, I find shimmery shadows with light lining works the best, maybe shading the outer 1/3 lids a tad darker. Honesty was my first MAC shadow and it's such an easy go-to when I'm rushing. Duck PowerPoint to line top and bottom, mascara, Bare Study paintpot all over, Honesty on the lids and your eyes are done!

Check out Risser's fotd's as they're much easier to work out than snowkei's - tho I love her stuff too, just for different events. =) I actually do tightline b/c I find smudging the liner into my lashline opens my eyes up more than creating a line above my lashes. I also do line both top and bottom because I find my eyes disappear otherwise! That may just be me, tho. =)

I love using purples. It's a softer colour which really brings out your eyes and can match with cool tones (add some blue or silver) or warm (very nice with gold). Green is great too, as someone else suggested. Jealous kohl power with Forest Green pigment...mmm, loved how that looked! That's a bit bold tho, so maybe start with Swimming, which is a nice, lighter green.

We can definitely pull off red lips! I love using Dubonnet - my first red - and I added Fresh Moroccan last year for something a bit less red but still makes a statement. Take your time trying out colours, which is what I did at MAC for both my reds, about 1/2 hr each!

HTH some, and good luck with finding stuff to work with. Most of all, HAVE FUN!! If you make a mistake, take it off, or just try something slightly different the next day. Strangely, it's the days when I think my stuff looks mediocre - and I don't get to change it - I get the most compliments on my makeup!

 

[pomegranatesix]

I ain't trying to spam - but check out Asian Beauty Blog - Asian Makeup and Cosmetics Information, because that site's been up for a year and it caters pretty specifically to Asian cosmetics and beauty There's the "main blog" where the main writers write, and there's the "member's entries" where other girls in the community can share their looks/experiences as well.

[Disclaimer: I was the original writer for the site, but I have since been deposed by newer, younger, better girls

]

 

[Karen_B]

I'm not asian, but I wanted to say that it is absolutely possible to get cheap but good makeup and tools. NYX eyeshadow brush no 4 is a great fluffy brush that you can use to apply e/s on the lid, as a wash all over, etc. Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow blending brush is great also, like MAC's 224.

As far as makeup goes, Milani and NYX are great and very cheap.

 

[rainy]

I don't do the more complex styles of make up application... 95% of the time, I do my makeup in the car (not driving) and it takes me about 10 minutes. So for what it's worth, and a simpler, easier kind of face, my standard makeup routine is

1. Moisturize.

2. Studio Fix - an overall evening of skin tone, much easier than concealer if you don't need serious coverage. Any sort of powder foundation can be really quick to apply and go a long way in making your skin look fresher and smoother and so on. I personally can't wear liquid/cream foundations, they "float" on my skin and it's just too much darn hassle. Anyway, I would recommend some sort of overall face makeup action for almost everyone, even if it's just a tinted moisturizer.

3. Bronzer - as blush/contour, because you don't want to be too even : ) I've just started using a Rimmel bronzer which I really like, it goes on sheer so you don't have to worry about streaking, but gives you enough color that it's not wasted effort.

4. Eyes - I think a subtle smokey eye is the easiest place to start, and quite flattering on asian eyes vs. a sharply [liquid] lined eye (depends, of course...). Smudgy lines and blended shadow mean it's easier to hide and correct mistakes! I generally use a black or dark gray pencil ("warm" blacks are softer and more agreeable - try to test out a few liners in-store, you can probably guess what looks "right" with your skin tone), but I have all sorts of colors I bought cheap - just make sure they draw smoothly. And then a light shadow wash with an optional darker shadow if you want more contouring... Exact colors are tough because it depends on your skin tone and personal preference, again, testing colors, even on your hand, will give you a pretty good indication of how a shadow will look on you (e.g. avoid shades that look chalky, or that are similar to your redder tones, because you'll look bruised). You'll have to experiment, and just remember that if one shade doesn't look right, it doesn't mean you have to rule out the whole color : ) As for lining techniques, start with a thin line along your top lid, try making it thicker, try smudging it, try a light line on your lower lid 1/3, 1/2 of the way... just try everything, you'll figure out what you like.

5. Curl lashes - I don't use mascara, but if it works for you then keep it up.

6. Lip gloss - waaaay, waaay easier than lipstick/liner. I like shiny lips. I like being able to reapply in 3 seconds, without a mirror. I don't like leaving lip marks on cups and things, or worrying about smudging. So sheer/tinted lipgloss wins. I have found wearing some sort of lip product makes a huge difference in how polished and finished your make up looks. I think that's why when they ask that "what would you need on a desert island" question, the answer is usually mascara and lipgloss.

Other notes:
For shadows, I've been quite happy with NYX and L'Oreal shadows, MAC and Nars and so on, but with any brand, not all colors are equal. I would not recommend Maybelline [mixed results], Almay, or most other drugstore brands... I don't really love the idea of you starting with the mega cheap holiday packs of non-brand-name stuff, because the product quality might turn you off things that would otherwise work. For any kind of eye makeup (if there's testers) I usually swipe on a moderately heavy swatch, and then try smudging it to see what it looks like and how well it will stay on (I'm too lazy to use a primer, but I'd recommend it).

I apply my Studio Fix with the sponge it comes with, my bronzer with a nice, soft, medium-sized brush from some old compact, and my eyeshadow with my ring or middle finger because I haven't mastered brushes and I find it too hard to control intensity with them. So you can use whatever you like, and you may not need to invest in brushes until you know what you are trying to achieve.

As for red lips, it's very trial and error finding just the right shade. And then you have to worry about clown mouth and smudging and bleeding and all that nonsense. And you generally need a defined but subtle eye to go with a red lip, which can be a tricky balance. But in theory, absolutely, you could pull it off. ; )


Anyway, hope this ridiculously long post helps in some way. I better get back to studying for finals : (